Submitted By
Kevin J. Jackson, Village Manager
Reviewed By
AMZ
Agenda Item Title
Title
Presentation Regarding 24-Hour Gas Stations and Motion to Direct Staff on Possible Next Steps
End
Overview
Overview
Staff will provide the Village Board with an update on Village staff activities with regard to 24-hour gas stations currently operating in the Village and to discuss options going forward.
End
Recommendation
Recommendation
N/A
Fiscal Impact
If the Village were to adopt an ordinance restricting the hours of 24-hour gas stations, such an ordinance will have a financial impact on those stations going forward, including those who have not experienced violent criminal offenses involving the use of firearms during late-night hours and concurrent unknown degrees of fiscal impact on Village revenue.
Background
There are eight (8) 24-hour gas stations operating in the Village and three (3) of these gas stations have had violent criminal offenses involving the use of firearms occur at their stations over the last three (3) years between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. per Police Department reports. Village staff met with the operators of these stations to discuss their hours of operation and the issue of violent crime occurring at the stations during their late-night hours, including the BP station located at 100 Chicago Avenue where the murder of Jailyn Logan-Bledsoe occurred. Village staff also met with a fourth gas station due to its proximity to one of the stations that experienced incidents of violent crime. A Police Department analysis of incidents at the stations is attached.
As a result of these meetings, the operator of the station at 100 Chicago Avenue has voluntarily agreed to close at 11:00 p.m. and reopen at 5:00 a.m. on a daily basis and the remaining stations were put on notice that if future violent criminal activity should occur at their stations during late-night hours, the Village will take further action, including up to the possible suspension or revocation of a business license. In addition, the operator of the BP station has installed new cameras at the station and posted new signs regarding 24-hour surveillance.
The Village Board could adopt an ordinance that mandates earlier closing hours for all 24-hour gas stations or in the alternative, the Board could adopt an ordinance that mandates closing hours on a tiered approach based on the location of a particular gas station. Such a broader, non-targeted approach could be legally challenged and will affect 24-hour stations that have not experienced violent criminal activity at their locations during their late-night hours.
Alternatives
Dependent on Board direction.
Previous Board Action
N/A
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
N/A
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
Dependent on Board direction.
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
N/A